5.18.2011

Look how awesome I am. I am updating my blog more than once a week or, like I did, once a month. So here is my Waiting on Wednesday post. Numero cinq. Go moi!

I'm going to do more than one book. That way it doesn't get boring.

Eon by Alison Goodman

I received the second book, Eona, from TheLibraryThing's Early Reviewer Program do my friend, Branden, could read it. He's a huge fan, and he highly reccomends it. He also reccomended me the Percy Jackson series, so I have to take his word for it.

Apparently, this book is a pimped-up (I can't believe I used that word) verison of Mulan. Well, that's how I would describe it. If you would like to read more about it, then either click on the picture (I think) or click HERE.

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

I have just recently finished The Reckoning, and I have to say that Kelley Armstrong is one of the authors that I really love reading theirs books. Her Darkest Powers Trilogy is full of twists and turns, supernatrual beings, an awesome plot, and a remarkable cast of characters. I want that, sil vous plaît?

All I can really draw out of the summary on GoodReads is that it's about some messed-up lake that takes the life of the the narrator's friend, Maya. I read the first chapter on Border's eBook app Preview reader, and I really, really like it!

Love Sucks! by Melissa Francis

Yes, it looks like a cliché vampire book, but I have to say there's more depth in this series than meets the eye. It has a combination of vampires and wizards, and even though the first book, Bite Me!, isn't suppose to be an intense read, it still has an awesome story line that keeps me busy guessing what'll happen.

It's adorable. I have to admit, and the narrator, AJ Ashe, has a sense of humor that resembles Sophie Mercer from Hex Hall. Sure, both have vampires (this series being more focused on vampires while Hex Hall has more of a witch/demon focus), but if I had to chose which I would read, I would have to, unfortunately, say this. I guess I'm biased because I'm currently reading Demonglass, and I don't have this book (unfortunately).

If you're looking for a quick read that's sure to make you giggle, then you'll have to read the first book, and hopefully this one aussi.

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

I received this as an ARC for Around the World ARC Tours, and, unfortunately, the week wasn't in my favor to finish this book. The deadline came before I could finish it, so I had to ship it and leave it unread. I wish that I could get an ARC of it or get a finished copy when it comes out, which happens to be June 7th. That's too long to wait!

The main character, a ghost named Amelia, died from drowning, and so after her death, she's left staying in the place where she was killed, reliving her death every now and then. She's unsure of how she died, and she can't remember anything about her previous life before she became ghostified except for her beautiful name. I like the name Amelia. So here comes in Joshua, who starts drowning in that lake, and she saves him! Unsure how she did so, she becomes attached to Joshua.

A love story between a ghost and a human, and the attempt to solve a mystery of Amelia's death? Count me in!

5.17.2011

Yearning for summer? Want something summer-y (Is that even a word?) to read? Well look no further!

My buddy, Elodie, from Once Upon A Quote, (Frenchies - They're awesome.) is hosting what she calls a 'Yearing for Summer Giveaway'. It's the three titles of the Summer series. At least that's what she says. . .

TITLES:

The Summer I Turned Pretty

It's Not Summer Without You

We'll Always Have Summer

All by Jenny Han

She loved these books, so they have to be AMAZING! Did I mention this contest is INTERNATIONAL?! Yes. French people. Again, you gotta love 'em!

If you would like to enter the contest, go here to read the requirements, or if you're feeling lucky and just can't wait to sign up, click here for the entry form.

This week's Teaser Tuesday is brought to you by the wonderful book by Bree Despain: The Lost Saint.

Ah. You gotta love this book. I flipped to page 292 and picked the first sentence that really caught my attention. WARNING - This is coming from an ARC, so the pages and actual quote may have been changed in the final copy of the book.

He tried to laugh again, but it ended in a raspy coughing fit. Droplets of black acid landed on my hand, burning my skin, but I didn't let go. "He's a read grifter, that one. Don't you think?" the demon asked. "Grifter? Who are you talking about-" I heard a cracking noise rfom behind me, and I turned my head slightly to see Talbot burst through the apartment door, brandishing his sword.

Well I'm back, so more of these wonderful editions of Teaser Tuesday will be less scarce. I hope you don't mind.

If you would like me to read your Teaser Tuesdays or follow your blog, just e-mail me or comment below, and we'll work together. ;)

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger - in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her - not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

* * *

It's difficult for a second book to be better in every way, shape, and form than the first book in the series, but The Lost Saint has definitely topped The Dark Divine by a long shot.

In this second installment of The Dark Divine series, you meet Grace (again) who has transformed from her annoying, human self to her almost-as-annoying, werewolf self. She is struggling to learn to control her new werewolf powers and behaviors, but as her teacher and lover, Daniel, keeps disappearing and seeming to "avoid" her, she finds Talbot, a handsome, suave, mysterious guy she's just recently met. Too bad you shouldn't be reeled in with simply looks.

I have to say that this blew my mind. Sure, I rated The Dark Divine with 3.5 stars, but I was anticipating the sequel, and when I discovered that I won a contest, I jumped right in to the world of Grace and her werewolf menio-I mean buddies again.

The characters' development that was left off of The Dark Divine picked back up, and I liked The Lost Saint because, for one, it seemed to concentrate more on the story with Daniel out of the picture for some of the book. Grace focused more on her learing and adaption to the "wolf" as the book so cleverly puts the urges of the werewolf.

That's about all I can say about the book without ruining it for all you wonderful people.

Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.

Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.

Join new and old friends from Camp Half-Blood in this thrilling first audio book in The Heroes of Olympus series. (We know I didn't have an audio book, but oh well.)

Just like the famous series the spin-off originated from, this novel includes new hilarious and quirky characters, such as Jason, Piper, and Leo, while keeping the old characters that we know and love, such as Anabeth, Clarisse, and others.

This book switches perspectives between Jason, Piper, and Leo. At first, this idea didn't sound like the smartest move for Mr. Roidan after he wrote a perfectly awesome series with just a first perspective narrator. I was completely wrong since the switching of points of view (which I will be calling POVs, by the way) was actually necessary to get the full stories from all the characters.

The plot with this story is sort of similar to the Percy Jackson series, which involves the rising of horrible Greek mythological creatures, the gods and goddesses disputing and claiming their demigod children, the self-discovery, the quests, the face-offs with monsters from Greek mythology, etc., but the interesting twist with this novel is that now we are focused primarily on the Roman versions of the Greek mythology. (Example: Hades=Pluto, Zeus=Jupiter, Hera=Juno, Athena=Menerva, etc.) One of the three main characters, Jason, can only remember the Roman versions of all the myths and names of the gods/goddesses, so this makes this series unique and set apart from the series it is associated with.

All in all, without completely ruining the book for you so you can enjoy it as much as I did, this book does not fail to please and scratch the itch from the major cliff hanger at the end of The Last Olympian. For all those who haven't read the Percy Jackson series, you should hang your head in shame. (Kidding, but seriously! I loved that series.)

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Khione

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Favorite Demigod: So many to chose from, but I must say that I loved Leo. Hephesteaus has to be one of my favorite gods because of his "lack" of good looks. That sets him apart from the others. Other than that, Leo is just so darn cute!

Favorite God: It's a tie! I loved Boreaus. Who doesn't think French accents are sexy? The other was Aeoleus, even if he was a jerk. I loved his strange personality.

Favorite Goddess: I must say the goddess of snow, Khione, even if she was a total vilainess. You gotta love the evil ones.

Favorite Mythological...Dude: KING MIDAS!! :D Everything he touches turns to gold. How cool is that?!

If you are looking for something to satisfy your longing for more Percy Jackson magic, then look no further! The Lost Hero is sure to please those Percy Jackson fans like myself who were desperate to find something to fill the void from the completion of the Percy Jackson series.

5.15.2011

I have just finished Wither by Lauren DeStefano, and I just want to share with you some thoughts that I have of the book without going into the boring details that I do with my reviews. I guess you just have to wait for it if you actually want to read it.

This world is basically a world in chaos. Genetic malfunctions have caused the population's life expectany to be dramatically cut to where males live to the age of twenty-five and the females have only twenty years to live.

You have thirteen-year-old girls being forced into marriages to strictly make babies. How much more disgusting is an image of a pregnant thirteen-year-old? This image made me shutter, and having this actually HAPPEN in the novel made me even more disgusted.

The other fact that women are basically strictly used to make babies. That idea makes me want to vomit. No, the book is amazing, but the book made such an impact on me that I actually feel like I'm a part of it, so I have formed an opinion. Women don't have any real purpose in the world other than, as I've already stated, make babies so the world doesn't die out.

You also have women being put into marriages where there are up to, like, twenty other women. Exaggeration, yes. The idea, thought? Same effect. Women, I believe, need complete attention from their husbands, and the lack of attention due to the fact that your husband has nineteen other women to please. I don't know how the women on Sister Wives can take it...

No. Don't get me wrong. I loved this book. Filled with awesome characters, an amazing plot, and unforgettable twists, I reccomend this to anyone who enjoys a dystopian book that makes you think. I applaud you, DeStefano!

If you have read this book and would like to share your opinion with me, you can publish a blog post or comment. I would love to hear what you think!

If you could wish for a different life, would you? What if that life changed everything you thought was real?

Adopted as a baby, Hazel Snow has always been alone. She's never belonged anywhere--and has always yearned to know the truth about where she comes from. So when she receives three stunning, enchanted dresses--each with the power to grant one wish--Hazel wishes to know her mother. Transported to a time and place she couldn't have imagined, Hazel finds herself living an alternate life--a life with the mother she never knew.

Over the course of one amazing, miraculous summer, Hazel finds her home, falls in love, and forms an unexpected friendship. But will her search to uncover her past forever alter her future? In the heart-pounding, luminous sequel to WISH, Alexandra Bullen asks the question: If you could wish for a new life....would you?

* * *

Magical dresses? Discovering yourself? Being able to wish for anything your heart desires (well, with limits, of course)? All wrapped up in one book? Count me in!

This story is revolved around a bitter character, Hazel, who can only contemplate on the worst in life. Can anyone blame her? She was abandoned by her mother and never got clear answers on where she came from. Her foster parent currently, Ray, (I think that's who it was) is very distant and not very active in raising her. She's basically on her own. Then she receives a sort of unexpected present from Ray (I'm thinking it's Roy now) that is in an evelop, and it turns out it's her birth certificate with her birth mother on it. Her adventure begins there.

I have to say that this book is filled with morals and, most importantly, interesting and vibrant characters. When I started reading this book, I feared that Hazel was going to be some typical agnst teenager, but as the book progressed, her charater blossomed as well as everyone else's. All in all, the characters are awesome, and sometimes I wish I could just grab them from the book and flesh them into real-life friends. Wow, I sound lonely.

The most fleshed-out character that developed the most had to be Jaime. You first met her, and she is some, dare I say, royal bitch who acts like she has a stick up in her butt. Over the course of the novel, you see her become a beautiful, happy girl.

With many twists and turns, memorable characters, and unforgettable life lessons, you are guarenteed an interesting read that will keep you glued to the pages until the wee hours of the morning when you almost regret not sleeping but remembering how awesome the book was. Not like me, of course, because that didn't happen to me. ;)

Favorite Character: It's a tie between Hazel and Jaime. I have to say that those are awesome characters. Reason Why I Liked It: It's an almost perfect combination of humor yet seriousness and awesome characters that I can actually imagining existing outside the bounds of the pages.

Alexandra Bullen, you have made me order Wish. I just hope it's as good!

Book Information

Summary

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

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Review

I cannot believe I actually considered picking up this book. With all the hype from this book, I imagined that this novel (and I'm being nice by calling this a novel) would have at least SOME form of substance. How horribly wrong I was.

Let's start with the horrible, horrible character development. There are four types of characters in this book:

1. Zoey

2. People that are not Zoey (followers, etc.)

3. The evil people that hate Zoey

4. The evil people that pose no threat that just flat-out hate Zoey

I would have to fall into the 3. If I possessed the power to leap into a book and manifest myself into one of the characters, I would do so, and I would find a way to snap Zoey's neck and every other character that has a cardboard personality's neck. Unfortunately, then there would be no need for a sequel due to the fact that everyone will be perished.

Back on track with the horrible excuse for character development. Let's see. Where to start? You have Zoey, a shallow, horrible excuse for a "vampyre". She is attractive, "intelligent", (I find it hard to believe that due to the stupidity she displays in many scenes of the book) and all the boys in school are lusting over her, yet she keeps the whiny "I hate my life" persona. Get a life, Zoey. Oh wait. She did get a life. She became the most powerful "vampyre" at the House of Night because she displays powerful from the goddess, Nyx.

Then you have a homosexual, Damien, and "twins", (they're called that because they think alike, even though one's black and one's white) whose names escape me, but really, what more do they add to the book instead for pity attempts at humor and the occassional "assistence" with Zoey and kicking bad-booty butt? Really? These characters are cookie-cutter cutouts that seriously are, dare I say, stupid, pathetic morons.

You then have the "foe" called a "ho", Aphrodite. Oh great. More Greek mythology puns. You're already worshiping the the goddess of night, which the Casts fail to realize that if you put a Greek goddess in your book, there has to be something other Greek related in there. OH! I KNOW! LET'S NAME A GIRL APHRODITE! That'll distract everyone from the disconnections of the mythology. Well, let's say Aphrodite is the stereotypical ho with no depth or anything. Ugh, there had to be at least something good about this book, eh?

Let's talk about the mixtures of mythology and the horrible (I really need a new adjective to describe the severity of suckiness this book shows.) try to draw me in. First, you have the goddess of night, Nyx, which is clearly Greek mythology, the witchcraft properties of all the different elements, (fire, air, earth, water, and spirit) and the Cherokee Indian spirits and stuff. Yes. Stuff. I said it. I suck at naming specifics. And then you have the BASHING of Christians, which I found disgusting and immature. This book makes the stereotype that all Christians are Bible-thumpers, shove-it-down-your-throat types of people.

The plot. Ready? One word. Just one! Poopy. (If you read it, you'd get it.)

All in all, just to reiterate and summarize, I hated this book for many reasons: characters, plot, everything.

Sorry for the rant, but I had to fuel at this horrible excuse for a book. Oh, and it only gets worse. Trust me.

Love from a reader that cares about your time and hopes you don't waste it reading this garbage,

Why do I want it? Look at the beautiful cover! It's beautiful. I love the masquerade, old-style book covers. The summary this book has to offer also promises to be a unique book, even if it is about vampires.

Why do I want it? Aside from the breath-taking cover, I am enticed with the journey to the Flow, which allows the main character, Consuela, to leave her earthly skin and transform into something with completely different skin made from fire, air, and ice. I cannot wait to read this!

Why do I want it? I have had my eye on this book for a while due to the fact that it's about zombies and a futuristic society that allows for zombies to exist. Did I mention the main character, Nora, (Ew. Hush, Hush name. . . ) falls in love with a zombie? Oh, and can you see that the cover happens to be beautiful?

Why do I want it? Oh my goodness. The summary is totally hypnotizing. You are taken to a fantasy world of Phaedra that is driven into chaos when Haydyn falls to a Sleeping Disease. It's a fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty, and it sounds completely amazing. I cannot wait to read it!

Why do I want it? It has such an interesting cover, and it has a summary to back it up. It's a quest into teenage despair when a girl, Majesty, loses her father in a fatal car accident, and the last thing she said to him were words of hatred. Majesty goes on a mission to find the cause of the car wreck while juggling to stop a church massacre.

Why do I want it? The summary I read on Goodreads enticed me. It's the aftermath of a volcano erruption in Yellowstone, (and I have certainly never read something about that) and Alex, a teenage boy who was out of town that day to visit relatives, embarks on a journey to reach his parents.

Why do I want it? An angel book I might actually enjoy. You see, so far, all the angel books I have came in contact with have been disappointing, from Fallen to Hush, Hush, to the angel camoes in the House of Night series. I actually read the summary and didn't want to puke! I'm horrible, I know. . .

Why do I want it? I have read the first three books in the series, and this being the last one, I am wanting to know how this series concludes due to the fact that the build up for the ending was a big cliffhanger! I will have to buy it soon!

Why do I want it? I LOVED the first two books of the Darkest Powers series, and I am longing to read the next installment. The summary sounds as captivating as the other series, and it promises to be just as awesome!